Find your spot

Travel Alert: Forest Service Road (FSR) 700 from Hwy 131 will be plowed this winter for timber hauling. Piney Guard Station visitors are able to use this road to access limited parking at the “gravel pit” which is located at the junction of 700 and 744. We suggest using a 4WD vehicle to access this parking area. Use caution while traveling this section and expect log truck traffic. Please park with consideration for other users. Access from the parking area to the guard station via FSR 744 is open for snowmobiling but FSR 700 is CLOSED at the gate to snowmobiling Monday-Friday as a safety precaution to allow for log truck hauling. Please plan accordingly.

PINEY GUARD STATION, CO

Overview

Piney Guard Station is a rustic cabin that was constructed in the 1930s as a work station for Forest Service crews. This 14 by 22-ft. structure has a single room and is built from logs. It is open both summer and winter with spring and late fall closures.

Natural Features:

Piney Guard Station is located at 9,100 feet in the White River National Forest, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, which is near Vail. The cabin is nestled in a forest dominated by aspen, spruce, pine and fir trees. Guests can enjoy views of the Gore Mountain Range from a meadow to the cabin’s north side.

Local wildlife, including moose, may be spotted near the lake, which sits across the road from the cabin. The White River National Forest is also home to elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, Canada lynx and black bear. Birders may see bald eagles, peregrine falcons, Barrow's golden-eye and black swifts.

Recreation:

The cabin is conveniently located in an area offering a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Forest Service road leading to the cabin is used by mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. This area is popular for hunting big and small game, game birds and waterfowl.

Facilities:

Piney Guard Station can sleep up to four people. It contains a bunk bed, two cots, storage cabinets, a table and benches, and a woodstove. Skillet, dishware and utensils are provided. A two burner stove and lantern are provided. These require 16.4-oz. propane cylinder bottles, which are not provided and are your responsibility. A picnic table and metal fire ring are just outside the cabin’s door. A vault toilet is located approximately 50 feet from the cabin. Guests can easily gather firewood around the cabin.

No drinking water, electricity or trash service is available; guests must bring their own water and garbage bags to pack out trash. Guests should consider packing most items they would bring on a regular camping trip. Dogs are allowed, please pick up after them and do not leave them unattended in or around the cabin.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility

Bed(s)

Berry Picking

Biking

Birding

Campfire Rings

Cooking Pots

Cooking Utensils

Creek Access

Cross Country Skiing

Dining Area

Fire Extinguisher

Firewood

Hiking

Hunting

Mattress(es)

Mountain Biking

Off-Road Vehicle Trails

Picnic Area

Snowmobiling

Snowshoeing

Vault Toilets

Wildlife Viewing

Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

Water is not available at the cabin

Bring your own 16.4-oz. propane cylinders (needed for the stove and lantern, which are provided)

Research the Motor Vehicle Use Map so you know what types of motorized vehicles are allowed on the roads and where snowmobiles are allowed

Call the Eagle-Holy Cross District for access information: 970-827-5715

Getting There:

Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 miles or heading west from Denver about 119 miles to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, you must follow seasonal access directions to the cabin, as detailed below:

Summer season
During the summer season (early June until mid-November), it is recommended to use a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle or SUV, your must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. From this location, one must hike or mountain bike to the cabin with gear and supplies. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV/ATV) may be permitted to access the cabin via Forest Roads #700 and #744; call the Ranger District ahead of time.

Winter season
Accessing the cabin during the winter season (December 1 to late April) depends on snowpack. During high snowpack, park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and Highway 131. From here, travel via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes on Forest Road #700 for approximately 7 miles. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 miles to the cabin. If the snow is minimal, you may be able to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive to the gravel pit area, which is just past the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744 and approximately 7 miles from Highway 131. From the gravel pit area, snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe on Forest Road #744 for approximately 3 miles to the cabin.